Beginning Basketball – Basics – Shooting

Jul

As a new season starts we explore how we at Frogs Basketball envision we assist in a player beginning basketball and the basics involved from a club perspective.

For many players and families starting out who may not have any basketball background it can be a daunting challenge on trying to understand what to look for in basketball program and how to set expectations in the first season or two. It is easy to over or under estimate the ability of your child and therefore place unnecessary pressure and unrealistic expectations on them. An experienced coach should be able to help you identify where your child is and help with an outline of fundamentals that they can begin to work on developing as a player.

Like any skills the correct repetition is required, some more than others, before establishing confidence in the skill to be able to utilize it in a pressure situation in a basketball game. During our Frogs Basketball training sessions for new and returning players we strive to teach basic basketball fundamentals via our drills that can be repeated at home in the drive way or backyard, at school or at the local park.

It is our hope that your child develops a passion to spend as much time as they can spare to become the best basketball player they can over time.

Shooting Basics

Scoring is often the most popular aspect of playing basketball for many players. The importance of learning and developing the correct fundamentals to score is invaluable for a player to achieve their potential at the offensive end of the floor. Being able to score from many various places on the floor, in a wide range of situations of pressure, lack of pressure, fatigue and opposition skill means practicing different forms shooting is an area that virtually is limitless in options.

“If you think practice is boring, try sitting on the bench”

Learning the fundamentals for shooting in basketball correctly at an early age allows a player to reinforce, repeat and continue to learn what works for them in various situations during a game.

Starting at the basket we encourage players to focus on the basic beginning with:

Positioning of body, feet and eyes ‘pointing’ to the basket.

Elevation and power from the legs using a balanced jump.

Starting the ball in the ‘shooting pocket’ using fingertip control and keeping the elbow tucked in.

Extending your hands and shot high into the air to create arc in the shot.

Snapping the wrist, following thru and learning to recognize feedback from the shot.

Once good habits are put in place and followed, correct repetition builds confidence allowing players to add more facets to their shooting and more weapons to their offensive game.

Extending their range from the basket, mid range and the 3 point line and beyond.

Shooting in a variety of situations including catch and shoot, shooting of the dribble and shooting with pressure (defense).

Shooting in a range of environments including fatigue, cold and hot weather and with distractions and time pressure scenarios.

Remember shooting is a skill that is (relatively) easy to learn but it takes a lifetime to master – we encourage all players to have a go!